One month ago Colorado football coaches had a hard time coming up with something critical to say about quarterback Jordan Webb, the transfer from Kansas they eventually named their starter.

Following Saturday's loss to Sacramento State at Folsom Field, it became clear the intensity of two game days and the spotlight of missed opportunities has them seeing their quarterback situation a little differently.

Coach Jon Embree didn't blame any one player for the loss, but when asked about Webb's performance, he noted that the junior missed some open targets in the game, and, in Embree's immediate assessment before film review, two of those throws should have been big plays for the Buffs.

Embree said the starting job under center along with every other job on the team will be up for grabs this week as the team prepares for its first road trip of the season next Saturday at Fresno State.

One week after being sacked five times, Webb didn't have a lot of time to throw once again, but even at times when he did, he wasn't always on target.

"A couple times I was just trying to get the ball out of my hands to avoid a sack," Webb said. "A few times the receivers were not even breaking into their route and I had to get rid of it. It is hard to be accurate and I guess I missed a couple."

Webb completed 12 of 24 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. He completed four of nine attempts in the second half.

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Webb's backup, sophomore Connor Wood, was called on for one play Saturday thanks to the new rule that requires any player who loses his helmet to come off the field for one play. Webb lost his in the middle of a third-quarter CU drive and Wood came on to take his first college snap.

He completed a screen pass to freshman wide receiver Gerald Thomas who scampered 28 yards to help set up a touchdown run that gave the Buffs a 28-24 lead. Thomas seemed to miss an opportunity to score on the play by running into a defender who was being blocked.

Wood said the fact that Embree views the quarterback competition as open once again doesn't change anything for him.

"I've always been competing for the starting job since I've been here," Wood said. "It didn't stop when Jordan was named the starter. It's been since yesterday at practice. So I'm going to keep on doing what I'm good at and trying to get better each day and we'll what happens."

Wood said it's difficult to get a feel for why the CU offense has been so inconsistent in the early going this season from his spot on the sideline. He said he does not believe there is one person or position to blame.

Colorado gained 341 yards of total offense on 63 plays Saturday. Only 101 yards came after halftime.

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